Three city buildings get solar panels

Workers from Bass Electric began installing solar modules on top of Watsonville City Hall this week. (Photos by Tarmo Hannula).

WATSONVILLE — New solar panels are being installed on three Watsonville facilities as part of a large-scale energy saver and cost cutter.

Workers from Bass Electric of San Francisco began installing the solar panels on city hall this week. Plans call for about 400 of the 240-watt panels to also cover the roofs of the Municipal Service Center on Harvest Drive, and the Water Resources Center on Clearwater Lane.

Combined, the panels will generate close to 600 kilowatts of power, the equivalent of electricity it takes to run more than 100 homes.

According to Watsonville senior utilities engineer Robert Ketley, who is in charge of the project, the $2.9 million cost will be offset by the New Clean Renewable Energy Bond, a federal program that pays much of the interest on loans for eco-friendly projects.

For the complete article see the 04-26-2012 issue.

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